The Kansas basketball program might be dealing with a bit of a curse after being ranked the No. 1 team in the country two years in a row. That would normally be a good thing, but fans know how that has turned out. Those high expectations came with some seriously underwhelming results.
That said, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello might have taken things a little too far in the other direction. In his early top 25 college basketball rankings for the 2025-26 season, Borzello put Kansas all the way down at No. 18. While the offseason is still in motion, that number feels low considering the talent Kansas is bringing in.
Kansas basketball gets disrespected in latest Top 25 rankings
Despite having the top-ranked incoming freshman and a returning high school All-American at center, Kansas is only rated as the sixth-best team in the Big 12 in Borzello's rankings. The Jayhawks trail Houston (No. 2), Texas Tech (No. 4), BYU (No. 7), Arizona (No. 12), and Iowa State (No. 13).
"Bill Self received a huge boost for next season during Final Four weekend, when Flory Bidunga withdrew from the transfer portal and announced he was returning to the Jayhawks," Borzello writes. "He should form one of the best inside-outside duos in the country with Darryn Peterson, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft."
"But Kansas still needs much more. The Jayhawks have landed a trio of potential wing starters in Tre White (Illinois), Melvin Council Jr. (St. Bonaventure) and Jayden Dawson (Loyola Chicago), and are targeting transfers like Darrion Williams (Texas Tech)."
While Borzello makes some fair points, Kansas fans have learned to take these preseason rankings with a grain of salt. The roster still has holes, but the entire city of Lawrence can agree that the Jayhawks needed a fresh start.
Adding someone like Darrion Williams would be a strong next move. Until then, KU fans will hold out hope that this is finally the year the team reclaims the title of the best Big 12 basketball school.